Best Phone Carrier for the iPhone

Check out the top carriers for iPhone users.

Best carrier for iPhone
T Mobile
T-Mobile
3.8 out of 5 stars
3.8
Starts at$50.00/mo.
  • pro
    Fastest 5G speeds
  • pro
    Unlimited data
  • pro
    Steep senior discounts
  • Fire Emoji
    Get an iPhone 16 for free (via 24 monthly bill credits)
Best iPhone carrier for coverage
Visible
Visible
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at$25.00/mo.
  • pro
    Rural coverage
  • pro
    Uses Verizon’s 5G and 4G networks
  • pro
    Unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada
  • Fire Emoji
    0% APR iPhones
Best basic carrier for iPhone
Mint Mobile
Mint Mobile
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at$15.00/mo. for 3 mos.
  • pro
    Free 5G
  • pro
    Uses T-Mobile’s 5G and 4G networks
  • pro
    Excellent customer service
  • Fire Emoji
    Get the unlimited plan for $15/mo. for a year with a new phone
Best budget carrier for iPhone
US Mobile
US Mobile
4 out of 5 stars
4
Starts at$8.00/mo
  • pro
    Affordable unlimited plans
  • pro
    Shareable data
  • pro
    Switch between T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T networks
  • Fire Emoji
    New and pre-owned iPhones available
Brianne Sandorf
Kelly Huh
May 13, 2025
Icon Time To Read6 min read

An unlocked Apple iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max purchased in the United States is compatible with over 400 carriers. So we've dug through plans and read the fine print to recommend our picks for iPhone users.

If you have or want an iPhone and are wondering which carrier is the best choice for your device, read on.

Share your experience and rate your mobile carrier

Your feedback helps others find the right cell phone plan. Whether your experience was great, frustrating, or somewhere in between, we want to hear about it.

Best phone carriers for an iPhone

After reviewing all the major cell phone carriers, it's clear that some carriers provide more bang for your buck. We considered price, plan features, and landed on the following carriers:

Provider
Price
Features
Hotspot data
Details
Starting at$50/mo
Unlimited talk, text, and 50GB to unlimited premium dataUnlimited 3G hotspot included
Starting at$25/mo
Unlimited talk, text, and 4G LTE /5G dataPulls from plan data amount
Starting at$15/mo. for 3 mos.
Unlimited talk, text, and 5GB to 35GB high-speed dataPulls from plan data amount, 10GB for Unlimited plan
Starting at$8/mo
Unlimited talk, text, and 2GB to unlimited data0GB–100GB
  • Best carrier for iPhone: T-Mobile offers the best overall cell phone plans for iPhone users. You get the fastest speeds, unlimited data, and tons of perks.
  • Best iPhone carrier for coverage: Visible Wireless is an MVNO that uses Verizon towers, which means it can offer the great nationwide coverage of Verizon for a fraction of the price.
  • Best basic carrier for iPhone: Mint Mobile is an MVNO that provides top-notch coverage, speeds, and data without making you pay for things you don't need.
  • Best budget carrier for iPhone: US Mobile is an MVNO that gives customers the option to jump between T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T networks, offering unlimited-everything plans for as low as $25 monthly.
What is an MVNO?
Info Box

A mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) rents bandwidth from major network towers (like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon) to give customers discounted service with similar coverage.

T-Mobile: Best carrier for iPhone

T-Mobile has the fastest and largest 5G network in the country. The carrier is known for its new five-year guarantee and unlimited cell phone plans starting at $50 per month, which offer unlimited talk, text, and data. This is perfect for iPhone users who want to upload reels, take photos, and stream wherever they go. 

T-Mobile cell phone plans and prices
Provider
Plan
Monthly price
Data
Hotspot data
Details
Essentials Saver
$50/mo
Unlimited (50GB full-speed)Unlimited at 3G speeds
Essentials
$60/mo
Unlimited (50GB full-speed)Unlimited at 3G speeds
Go5G
$75/mo
Unlimited (100GB full-speed)15GB high-speed then unlimited at 3G speeds
Go5G Plus
$90/mo
Unlimited high-speed50GB high-speed then unlimited at 3G speeds
15GB high-speed data in Canada and Mexico
Go5G Next
$100/mo
Unlimited high-speed50GB high-speed then unlimited at 3G speeds
15GB high-speed data in Canada and Mexico

w/ Auto Pay. Regulatory fees included in monthly price for qualified accounts. See full terms.

T-Mobile offers post-paid unlimited talk, text, and data plans from $50 monthly. T-Mobile's cheapest plan, the Essentials plan, includes 50GB of high-speed data as well as unlimited hotspot data at 3G speeds. 

T-Mobile isn't the cheapest plan out there, but you can save by bundling up with a family plan. For the T-Mobile Essentials plan, you can get plans for as low $25 per person for four lines. 

T-Mobile iPhone plans and prices

While the price of an iPhone is not necessarily cheaper, T-Mobile offers tons of limited-time offers on iPhones. You can get a free iPhone via monthly bill credits. T-Mobile also offers iPhone discounts to seniors aged 55+, military, and first responders with a qualifying plan. 

Get an iPhone through T-Mobile

You can get a free iPhone through T-Mobile. 

The deal is applied via 24 monthly bill credits. To get the deal, you will need to sign up for a plan that costs $60+/mo. w/Autopay. You will also need an eligible trade-in.

Visible Wireless: Best iPhone carrier for coverage

Visible Wireless may be the best iPhone carrier in terms of price, data, and coverage. It uses Verizon’s far-reaching cellular network for pennies per GB.

Visible Wireless cell phone plans and prices
Provider
Plan
Monthly price
Annual price
Data
Details
Visible$25 Visible Plan
$25/mo
$275/yr (Save $25)
Unlimited data (speeds may slow during high traffic)
Visible$35 Visible+ Plan
$35/mo
$375/yr (Save $45)
Unlimited premium data
Visible$45 Visible+ Pro Plan
$45/mo
$450/yr (Save $90)
Unlimited premium data

*Taxes and fees included. Welcome discount applied.

Visible offers three cell phone plans where you can bring your own iPhone: A $25-a-month plan where you get unlimited talk and text without a contract (but your phone slows during high-traffic times), a $35-a-month plan that’s identical except that you get uncapped fast data, (so you won't have to worry about data speeds slowing down) and a $45-a-month plan with some extra international perks like 500 minutes in over 85 countries and unlimited texting in over 200 countries.

We’re partial to the second plan. $35 per month for unlimited premium data? Seems too good to be true. Plus, if you’re a new Visible customer, you may be able to get a deal for the first few months of service. Right now, new customers can get $5 off Visible+ or Visible+ Pro for 12 months with the coupon code SPRING5.

As for coverage through Visible, you’ll want for almost nothing with the Verizon network. Verizon has great 5G coverage located throughout the U.S.

Visible Wireless iPhone plans and prices

Visible also has deals for some specific Apple phones, like the latest iPhone 16, but we’re not sure they’re the best deals since the phone costs more through Visible than it does on Apple’s website. But Visible does offer the option to pay for the iPhone over time, financing it for as low as 0% APR with Affirm.

Mint Mobile: Best basic carrier for iPhone

If you want a good deal, Mint Mobile is the perfect place to sign up for a new plan with your iPhone.

As you might have heard from the many ads starring Ryan Reynolds, Mint Mobile has a crazy good deal available to new customers, and folks with iPhones are eligible!

Mint Mobile cell phone plans and prices

Provider
Plan
Price
Data cap
Details
5GB Data Plan
$15/mo. for 3 mos.
5GB
15GB Data Plan
$20/mo. for 3 mos.
15GB
20GB Data Plan
$25/mo. for 3 mos.
20GB
Unlimited Data Plan
$30/mo. for 3 mos.
Unlimited (35GB high-speed)

Mint’s plans start at just $15 a month for three months. You can opt for 5GB to an unlimited data plan, although the unlimited plan has a cap of 35GB of high-speed data. Plans come with an option for three months to a year of service, and all require an upfront payment.

After your initial time period ends, your rates increase. Mint Mobile's rates are comparable to other MVNOs we’ve seen, so we see no problem in staying with Mint even after your signup discount runs out.

Mint uses T-Mobile’s network, which is good but not as extensive as Verizon’s. You’ll see significant gaps in some parts of the U.S., like in Montana.

Mint Mobile iPhone plans and prices

Meanwhile, you can get the same plans with an iPhone with Mint Mobile as you do directly from the Apple Store. You can also finance your iPhone through Affirm.

Mint customers who buy a new phone from Mint Mobile can also get a year of unlimited for only $15 per month.

US Mobile: Best budget carrier for iPhone

US Mobile offers great plans for all phone brands, not just iPhones. However, iPhone users may find that getting a plan for US Mobile is more flexible than going with a mainstream carrier. 

As a US Mobile customer, you can switch between any of the major networks. US Mobile uses different names for the networks: Dark Star for AT&T, Warp for Verizon, and Light Speed for T-Mobile.

US Mobile cell phone plans and prices
Provider
Plan
Price
Features
Details
By the Gig$10/mo. Unlimited talk, text, and 2GB data
Unlimited StarterStarting at $19/mo.Unlimited talk, text, and 35GB–70GB premium data
Unlimited Starter Annual (Dark Star only)$19/mo.
($228 for 12 mos)
Unlimited talk, text, and 70GB premium data
Unlimited Premium$44/mo.Unlimited talk, text, and 100GB to unlimited premium data
Unlimited Premium Annual (Dark Star)$29/mo.
($348 for 12 mos)
Unlimited talk, text, and premium data

US Mobile plans cost $10 to $44 monthly, or even lower with coupon codes and promotional prices. Plus, you get a discount when you pay annually.  All plans come with unlimited talk and text, whereas the data cap depends on your plan.

The Unlimited plans pack the most value, with the Unlimited Premium plan offering truly unlimited priority data if you sign up for the Dark Star network. You also get 100GB of high-speed hotspot data. 

US Mobile iPhone plans and prices

US Mobile doesn't have the best deals on new iPhones, but you can find discount pre-owned iPhones and 0% to 36% APR options through Affirm.

Recap: What’s the best phone carrier for the iPhone?

Our top cell phone carrier recommendation for the iPhone is T-Mobile because it offers the best mix of coverage, premium data, and price. 

All the other carriers mentioned above are also top contenders, so it really depends on what your needs are and what you budget is. Here are some tips to make the best choice for you:

What to look for in an iPhone service plan

Every iPhone needs cell service! Here’s what to look for when picking a provider.
  • Unlimited calls
  • Unlimited text
  • Unlimited data
  • Extensive network coverage
  • International calling
  • International roaming
  • Hotspot capabilities

Most cell phone plans are compatible with an iPhone. It’s really a matter of finding the best deal with the features you want more than anything. Not everyone wants or needs features like unlimited data or hotspot capabilities, so keep your must-haves in mind when selecting a plan.

If you want to upgrade your iPhone model, some plans have special deals that include a brand-spanking new iPhone. But check the Apple Store before signing up for one of these carrier-specific bargains. You might save more by using Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program than by signing up for a BYOD plan.

And by the way, if you have a newer iPhone model, you may not even need a SIM card to switch providers—an eSIM might be available.

Accessories

A good cellular plan is also necessary for some iPhone accessories, mainly the Apple Watch. Every device from an Apple Watch series needs either a cell phone plan or Wi-Fi to function properly (receive and send texts and calls, send notifications, etc.).

Methodology

When choosing our best iPhone carriers, we considered a few things:

  • Does the provider allow iPhones?
  • How much do the plans cost?
  • How much data do the plans include?
  • How extensive is the provider’s network coverage?
  • Does the provider have an iPhone-specific deal?

While many carriers could be a good fit for this piece, we chose the ones we felt offered the most value to iPhone users.

T-Mobile hasn't the largest 5G network and works best in populated areas like cities. Verizon has the strongest signal in rural areas and has greater 4G LTE coverage. 

Depending on your location, the iPhone works best with a variety of carriers including T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. MVNOs also work well, since they use the same network towers as major providers.

There isn't a specific month that is best to buy an iPhone, as cell phone providers have deals going on year-round, however you may see better deals on Black Friday in November or the holiday season in December. 

Brianne Sandorf
Written by
After five years with Reviews.org, Brianne can and will tell you which internet or mobile provider you should sign up for. She’s talked with internet customers across the U.S. and beyond and addresses their real-life concerns in every piece she writes. Brianne also created the ratings system for the Reviews.org internet service provider reviews and wrote most of them. Brianne channels her lifelong interest in detective work by hunting for obscure, need-to-know information about internet service providers. She’s always learning so that she can pass her knowledge on to Reviews.org readers. Her writing and expertise have appeared in numerous other publications, including Move.org, Parents.com, and the Stanford student blog. Her work for Reviews.org is also cited in a research paper about smart home assistants titled “Expert-Generated Privacy Q&A Dataset for Conversational AI and User Study Insights.” Brianne is a homegrown Utahn who loves to travel and see new places. She graduated from Westminster College with a double major in honors and creative writing. After 20 years in a 8,000-person city, she now lives in Murray, a bustling metropolis of 50,000 where she and her husband raise their two little girls.

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